President Duterte has conferred the Presidential Merit Award to several Cabinet Secretaries, members of the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, and medical experts for their contribution to the country's fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ceremony occurred at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang on June 16, 2022. It was President Duterte's third event that day that was not aired live on any social media platforms run by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).
In a three-minute clip uploaded to the Facebook page of Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM), President Duterte was seen conferring medals and plaques to medical experts whom the IATF has been consulting in addressing the pandemic.
Some of the members of the IATF who received the Presidential Award were:
- Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
- Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez Jr.
- Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire
- Education Secretary Leonor Briones
- Communications Secretary Martin Andanar
- Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista
- Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III
- Civil Service Commission Chairman Karlo Nograles
- Health Secretary Francisco Duque III
- Interior Secretary Eduardo Año
- Testing Czar Vince Dizon
- Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade
- Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez II
- Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, and the President's long-time aide Senator Bong Go also got recognition.
The Presidential Merit Award is one of the highest awards conferred by a Philippine President to individuals in recognition of their contribution to nation-building.
In a Facebook post, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said his award was for the contribution of the PCOO and the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson to IATF operations in fighting Covid-19.
"I am dedicating this award to all the men and women of my department who worked hard with me to communicate the government's message during the most difficult times of the pandemic," he wrote.
"What a way to end my term. Thank you and Amen, Lord!" he added.